Chapter Thirteen: If You Lack the Ability, Then Don't Complain

Before this, they had already prepared to safely receive both the people and the artifacts.

But now, only the artifacts have returned, which left several officials at the Bureau of Foreign Affairs somewhat disappointed.

They were all eager to see what kind of talent could accomplish two earth-shattering feats in succession.

Such ability, though it might sound boastful, was truly extraordinary—almost defying the heavens.

Yet now, with no one returning, they could not help but ponder deeply.

Judging by Lin Yang’s previous actions, it was clear that if he wanted to come back, he could do so at any time.

After all, he had easily accessed the Windmill Kingdom’s top-secret archives; there were likely very few places in this world he couldn’t enter.

Obtaining a lithography machine manufacturing manual from the Windmill Kingdom wasn’t merely a matter of “stealing.”

It meant Lin Yang must possess an exceptional ability to forge flawless identities.

Without a legitimate and reasonable identity, entry into such a place was impossible.

Therefore, Lin Yang must have fabricated an extremely convincing identity to move in and out of that location.

Otherwise, without a legal identity, he would have been detected as an intruder and arrested immediately.

Hence, if he wished to return home, identity issues would never be a barrier.

Yet strangely, he did not come back with the artifacts.

This troubled Ye Guhong and the others.

“From his earlier phone calls, it seemed he was quite reluctant to become an illegal element at home. But forging identities shouldn’t be a problem for him. So why didn’t he return?”

The officials furrowed their brows in deep thought.

They were genuinely concerned about Lin Yang’s safety.

Suddenly, Ye Guhong tapped the table and said solemnly, “Perhaps he’s already back.”

“Ah?”

The officials were all taken aback.

---

Ye Guhong smiled faintly and said, “You yourselves said forging identities isn’t an issue for him. So how can we be so quick to conclude he hasn’t returned? Maybe he’s already back under a fabricated identity.”

“This…”

He continued, “So let’s not dwell on whether he’s returned or not. Perhaps he’s just chosen not to tell us. Besides, we’ll know for sure when he calls next.”

“Elder Ye, do you think he will accomplish more astonishing feats?” Tang Wensheng and the others exchanged glances.

“I don’t know,” Ye Guhong shook his head. Amid the surprised looks of the officials, he said softly, “But I have a feeling this is only the beginning.”

“So, we should maintain our previous vigilance and wait for his next call.”

“As for his safety…”

“Since he can forge identities so perfectly, there shouldn’t be any major safety concerns. This is proven by how he obtained the Windmill Kingdom’s lithography machine manufacturing manual and then safely arrived at Little Eagle.”

“Therefore, we need not worry too much. We just have to be ready to receive him back at any moment.”

Ye Guhong spoke calmly.

After his explanation, Tang Wensheng and the others realized they had been instinctively worrying about Lin Yang’s safety but had overlooked that since he could easily travel between Western countries, he must have his own unique methods.

So before Lin Yang sends them a distress call, they only needed to be prepared to cooperate.

“Elder Ye, we understand. But how should we respond to Little Eagle’s side? They just lost the artifacts, but we declared them donated. Their embassy is strongly condemning this illegal act and demands the return of the artifacts.”

“Hmph, return? The artifacts were donated by an anonymous party; we didn’t snatch them from their museum. How can there be any question of return? Tell them that if they have the ability, they can go deal with that anonymous donor. If not, then they should shut up!”

---

“Congratulations, host. The first batch of artifacts has been successfully delivered to Shangxia. Because the Shangxia government publicly announced this matter, your actions have become known to the public, who now regard you as an unsung hero. You have earned a small amount of reputation points!”

“Congratulations, host. Since this is your first time earning reputation points, you also receive some achievement points as a reward.”

“Congratulations, host. You have obtained the exclusive reputation title: ‘Emerging Talent.’”

Back in Little Eagle’s country, Lin Yang suddenly received this string of notifications, causing him to pause briefly before asking, “System, what are reputation points?”

“Answering host: Reputation points are a special reward item of this system with currently no practical use.”

“Huh? What do you mean no use? Isn’t there a reputation points store?” Lin Yang was surprised.

“Answering host: Reputation points have no dedicated store and cannot be consumed.”

“Cannot be consumed?” Lin Yang frowned. “System, can you explain this in a way a normal person can quickly understand?”

“Answering host: Reputation points remain permanently. They will not be consumed when you redeem system items or use system services.”

“Then what are they for? And the exclusive title—is it just for show?” Lin Yang’s eyes widened.

“Answering host: Reputation points are special items required to redeem some special goods. Only when you meet the reputation point requirement can you use your National Treasure points to exchange for those items.”

“Then why did you just say they have no use? Are you joking with me?”

“Answering host: The items requiring reputation points are super rare goods that can only be used once your nation’s technological civilization level reaches a certain threshold. Therefore, the system says they currently have no use, not that they never will.”

Lin Yang rolled his eyes. “...Are you playing word games with me?”

The system was silent.

“And what about the title? Does it work like achievement titles? Does it provide bonuses when gaining reputation?” Lin Yang took a deep breath and asked again.

“Answering host: Reputation titles provide no bonuses. They only represent your current reputation stage.”

“...So it’s just for show?” Lin Yang was speechless.

“Answering host: Some specific functions of reputation points will manifest once your nation’s technological civilization reaches a certain level. Please continue your efforts.”

“What level exactly?” Lin Yang pressed.

“Answering host: This system cannot currently answer that. Please continue your efforts.”

“...What good are you?!”

Lin Yang grumbled, deciding not to ask further.

Though he hadn’t interacted with the system long, he knew that when it refused to answer, no matter how many times he asked, he wouldn’t get a response.

Afterward, Lin Yang changed the subject: “System, how far along is Shangxia’s Academy of Sciences in manufacturing the lithography machine?”